Stroudsburg beats Souderton 1-0

NAZARETH — As the second half wore on, Stroudsburg could feel itself gaining the momentum. With just over 14 moments to go the Mounties seized it.

JOE MIEGOC

NAZARETH — As the second half wore on, Stroudsburg could feel itself gaining the momentum. With just over 14 moments to go the Mounties seized it.

Nicola Scattolon scored with 14:10 left to play and Christian Bukowski led a great defensive effort to help Stroudsburg earn a 1-0 victory over Souderton in the first round of the PIAA Class AAA boys soccer playoffs at Nazareth High School on Tuesday.

The Mounties (21-2), who will play Wilson West Lawn in the quarterfinals Saturday, picked up their first state victory in school history. The second half was where Stroudsburg really won it, with the Mounties putting four of their five shots on goal.

Stroudsburg's last shot came off the foot of Scattolon on a play that started with a throw in by Jordon Ellison. Scattolon gathered in Ellison's pass, chipped the ball to Hernandez, who then found Scattolon in the middle with some room to work. The junior finished it off by beating Indians goalie Tyler Afflerbach inside the far post.

"I got it to Cesar and called for the ball in Spanish because that's his best language," Scattolon said. "I was able to volley it in to the bottom right."

It was the perfect ending to what was a dominant half by the Mounties.

Souderton (17-6-1) had its share of chances in the first half, but goalie Nico Ruiz and the Stroudsburg defense was able to keep the Indians off the board. As the second half wore on, the Mounties started to possess the ball more and keep the action in the Indians' end of the field.

"We were trying to figure out their defense and they were beating us to the 50/50 balls in the first half," Scattolon said. "We were able to get used to what they were doing and picked it up."

Bukowski has continued to pick up his game as the season's worn on.

A midfielder to start the year, Bukowski scored 13 goals early in the season to join Ellison and Scattolon and give Stroudsburg one of the best scoring trios in District 11. Since the middle of the season, though, Bukowski has settled into the back and played like a seasoned veteran.

"He's been a real team player in accepting that role and realizing that's what helps the team," Stroudsburg assistant coach James DeRenzis said. "He's a great player and one of those players who we could put anywhere and he's going to get the job done."